as in gradual
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees
a piecemeal attempt to remedy the traffic congestion
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1
as in gradually
by small steps or amounts
remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints
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Recent Examples of piecemeal
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
If the far right wins out, as currently seems likely, Israel will continue to dispossess Palestinians from large swaths of the West Bank and build more settlements, pushing forward with the piecemeal annexation that Smotrich has spearheaded.
—Mairav Zonszein, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2024
Although a few shipwrecks and disasters grab headlines, like the March crash of a cargo ship into a Baltimore bridge, much less is known about how often containers are lost piecemeal or away from major ports.
—CBS News, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for piecemeal 
Adjective
But the piecemeal allegations leveled in the criminal and civil cases stopped short of answering an essential question that’s been hinted at by attorneys, investigators and internet sleuths: Who else was involved?
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
If the far right wins out, as currently seems likely, Israel will continue to dispossess Palestinians from large swaths of the West Bank and build more settlements, pushing forward with the piecemeal annexation that Smotrich has spearheaded.
—Mairav Zonszein, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
Adverb
For now, only the 24-piece Spice Village (sold both as a set and piecemeal) is available—no month-to-month mailer subscription needed.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2024
Although a few shipwrecks and disasters grab headlines, like the March crash of a cargo ship into a Baltimore bridge, much less is known about how often containers are lost piecemeal or away from major ports.
—CBS News, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for piecemeal
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Cite this Entry
“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piecemeal. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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